Project Details
Description
Many of the biggest challenges in chronic disease are caused or exacerbated by infections (e.g. HIV, TB, malaria). Transmission from an already infected host to an uninfected host is the most vital step in a pathogenic microbe’s life and determines it’s evolutionary fitness. Tiny molecular changes caused by random mutations can have dramatic effects on transmission and it is increasingly clear that in chronic infections in particular evolution of the infecting microbes can affect symptoms and the success of treatments. It is vital therefore that the public’s understanding of evolution in infections is recalibrated to account for the fast speeds of microbial adaptation.
We will increase public understanding of transmission and the role for fast microbial evolution in chronic disease. To do this we will commission a new choral work by composer Orlando Gough based around the concept of infectious and evolving song. The work will be performed in public spaces in York by a mass participation choir (c. 1000 singers) composed of professional, auditioned, school and community choirs drawn from York and the surrounding area. The infectious song will be visualised using sound-activated wearable LED costumes to illuminate infected singers, creating an immersive audio-visual experience.
We will increase public understanding of transmission and the role for fast microbial evolution in chronic disease. To do this we will commission a new choral work by composer Orlando Gough based around the concept of infectious and evolving song. The work will be performed in public spaces in York by a mass participation choir (c. 1000 singers) composed of professional, auditioned, school and community choirs drawn from York and the surrounding area. The infectious song will be visualised using sound-activated wearable LED costumes to illuminate infected singers, creating an immersive audio-visual experience.
Layman's description
Scientific summary: Many of the biggest challenges in chronic disease are caused or exacerbated by infections (e.g. HIV, TB, malaria). Transmission from an already infected host to an uninfected host is the most vital step in a pathogenic microbe’s life and determines it’s evolutionary fitness. Tiny molecular changes caused by random mutations can have dramatic effects on transmission and it is increasingly clear that in chronic infections in particular evolution of the infecting microbes can affect symptoms and the success of treatments. It is vital therefore that the public’s understanding of evolution in infections is recalibrated to account for the fast speeds of microbial adaptation.
Outreach project summary: We will increase public understanding of transmission and the role for fast microbial evolution in chronic disease. To do this we will commission a new choral work by composer Orlando Gough based around the concept of infectious and evolving song. The work will be performed in public spaces in York by a mass participation choir (c. 1000 singers) composed of professional, auditioned, school and community choirs drawn from York and the surrounding area. The infectious song will be visualised using sound-activated wearable LED costumes to illuminate infected singers, creating an immersive audio-visual experience.
Outreach project summary: We will increase public understanding of transmission and the role for fast microbial evolution in chronic disease. To do this we will commission a new choral work by composer Orlando Gough based around the concept of infectious and evolving song. The work will be performed in public spaces in York by a mass participation choir (c. 1000 singers) composed of professional, auditioned, school and community choirs drawn from York and the surrounding area. The infectious song will be visualised using sound-activated wearable LED costumes to illuminate infected singers, creating an immersive audio-visual experience.
Key findings
‘Transmission Choral’ was performed in the Scenic Stage Theatre of the Department of Theatre, Film and Television at the University. The performance was the culmination of a week-long artistic residency involving composer Orlando Gough, director Karen Gillingham, designer Hannah Sibbai, professional singers Rebecca Askew and Elaine Mitchener and York choir the Micklegate Singers.
The residency project took as a thematic departure point the science of disease transmission and in particular research undertaken by Professor of Microbial Evolution Michael Brockhurst and his laboratory. Two researchers from Professor Brockhurst’s lab gave short talks during the evening showcase event explaining some of this research to the audience.
The performance itself consisted of a series of set pieces introduced by the composer that ranged from more abstract soundscapes to specially-composed choral pieces and a strikingly innovative duet. Each of the pieces was cleverly staged with effective use of lighting and a few props. Words commonly used in the feedback from the audience were ‘beautiful’, ‘disturbing’, ‘wacky!’
The residency project took as a thematic departure point the science of disease transmission and in particular research undertaken by Professor of Microbial Evolution Michael Brockhurst and his laboratory. Two researchers from Professor Brockhurst’s lab gave short talks during the evening showcase event explaining some of this research to the audience.
The performance itself consisted of a series of set pieces introduced by the composer that ranged from more abstract soundscapes to specially-composed choral pieces and a strikingly innovative duet. Each of the pieces was cleverly staged with effective use of lighting and a few props. Words commonly used in the feedback from the audience were ‘beautiful’, ‘disturbing’, ‘wacky!’
| Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Effective start/end date | 1/02/15 → … |